Lechón Asado (Roasted Pork)

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Crispy, slow-roasted pork shoulder glazed with a tangy citrus marinade, perfect for festive gatherings. This puerto rican-inspired grilling ready in about 180 minutes pairs pork shoulder, orange juice, lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.0 (9 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 160 min Serves 6 Puerto Rican cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). In a bowl, combine 1 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 6 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp rosemary. Add 3 lbs pork shoulder and marinate for 4 hours.
  2. Step 2: Place pork in a roasting pan. Roast for 2.5 hours, basting every 30 minutes with marinade. Increase oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) and roast for 15 minutes until skin is crispy and golden.
  3. Step 3: Let rest for 10 minutes, then carve and serve with pan juices.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Lechón Asado (Roasted Pork) take to make?

Total time is about 180 minutes (20 min prep + 160 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Lechón Asado (Roasted Pork)?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Lechón Asado (Roasted Pork)?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Lechón Asado (Roasted Pork) for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Lechón Asado (Roasted Pork)?

Puerto Rican grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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